What we will learn...

We are learning about the BIOMES of the world. We will learn about how all living things (Biotic) and nonliving things (Abiotic) interact with one another in an ecosystem. We are learning about the water, carbon, and nitrogen cycles.

The unit is broken into chapters. The students will receive a note packet for each packet which will take about two weeks to go through followed by a quiz. All of this will then be used for the cumulative test at the end of the unit.

As our unit comes to a close, the students will be preparing a group BIOME project. Each person in the group will be responsible for different information, depending on which type of scientist they are (botanist, geographer, zoologist, meteorologist) These should be ready to present after our Spring Break in April. The project outline is here. The FACT SHEET is here.

November - JanuaryVariables Unit ~

The Science Fair was a great success!VARIABLE SCIENCE PROJECTS were due on Monday, January 27th. We had our SCIENCE FAIR on Friday, January 31 from 2:00-3:00. Parents were invited to see what the kids have learned!

In our variables unit we are learning about the SCIENTIFIC PROCESS. We are performing several hands-on experiments to see how changing variables will change our outcomes. We have made swingers and changed the length of the string to see if the number of swings would change. We learned the longer the string the fewer times it swings in 15 seconds. We are making boats this week. We will test the capacity of the boat before it sinks. We will change variables to see what changes are in the outcome. We will also make planes and flippers.

September and October~Weather Unit ~Science Weather Project - We have completed our WEATHER unit! The students became meteorologists as they learned to use tools to measure and predict the weather. We made our own Weather Stations to record our findings. This week are PRESENTATIONS on a weather phenomenon by our class experts. Here is a link to the Sheiko web search page!

As you practice your weather skills and prepare for our unit test, see if you can be a MILLIONAIRE!

April/May

Earth ProcessesThe students will be learning about the three different types of rock processes (the rock cycle). They will learn to tell the difference between Igneous, Metamorphic, and Sedimentary rock. They will also learn about weathering and erosion and will identify examples on the Doherty playground. Finally, we will learn about the Earth's plate tectonics and how the earth shifts over time. Below are a couple of SmartBoard activities and website you can visit to learn more.Rock Cycle Smart Notebook LessonRock Cycle SONGRock Cycle VIDEO